The ICC vs. Rodrigo Duterte: 2026 Confirmation of Charges Hearing Guide

As of February 22, 2026, the eyes of the world are on The Hague as the International Criminal Court (ICC) prepares for a historic milestone in the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Nearly a year after his dramatic arrest in Manila, the legal proceedings have reached a critical "confirmation of charges" phase that will determine if the case proceeds to a full-blown trial.

1. The Big Week: February 23–27, 2026

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I has scheduled a five-day hearing starting tomorrow to evaluate the strength of the prosecution's evidence. This is not yet a trial for guilt or innocence, but a judicial review to see if "substantial grounds" exist to believe the crimes were committed.

• Hearing Dates: February 23 to 27, 2026.
• Location: ICC Detention Centre / Pre-Trial Chamber, The Hague, Netherlands.
• Duterte's Attendance: On February 20, the ICC granted Duterte's request to skip the hearing. While he remains in custody, he has waived his right to be physically present in the courtroom for this specific week.
• Fitness to Stand Trial: Despite defense claims of "cognitive impairment," a panel of independent medical experts ruled on January 26, 2026, that Duterte is mentally and physically fit to undergo the proceedings.

2. The Charges: Three Counts of Crimes Against Humanity

The Office of the Prosecutor, led by Karim Khan, has refined the charges against the former president to focus on a non-exhaustive list of 78 victims. The charges are categorized into three distinct "counts" of murder as a crime against humanity:

1. Count 1: Murders in Davao City (2011–2016) allegedly carried out by the "Davao Death Squad" (DDS) while Duterte was Mayor.
2. Count 2: Murders of "High-Value Targets" during the nationwide War on Drugs (2016–2019).
3. Count 3: Murders occurring during Barangay clearing operations throughout his presidency.

3. The "Co-Perpetrators" and the 2026 Political Fallout

In a bombshell document released on February 13, 2026, the ICC prosecution officially named eight co-perpetrators who allegedly shared a "common plan" with Duterte. This list includes high-ranking Philippine officials:

• Senators: Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (currently in an unknown location) and Christopher "Bong" Go.
• Former Officials: Former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and several former PNP chiefs.
• Malacañang's Stance: The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stated it will not interfere in the proceedings, calling it a "personal matter" for the former president. However, the Palace confirmed it would enforce any further ICC warrants for the named co-perpetrators.

"This is a crucial opportunity for justice that victims of the 'war on drugs' have waited a decade for." — Amnesty International, February 20, 2026.

Conclusion

The outcome of this week's hearing will be released in a written decision within 60 days. If the charges are confirmed, the first-ever trial of an Asian leader at the ICC will begin late in 2026. For now, the legal battle in The Hague remains the most significant hurdle for the Duterte political legacy.